infringement
Americannoun
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a breach or infraction, as of a law, right, or obligation; violation; transgression.
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an act of infringing.
Etymology
Origin of infringement
Explanation
An infringement is a minor offense that involves breaking a rule or a law. If your sister takes a chapter from your book and publishes it as her own, you could sue her for copyright infringement. An infringement can result in legal penalties if you’re breaking a law, as in the case of a copyright infringement or a patent infringement. An infringement can also be a violation of a rule or an agreement that applies in a specific situation. In that case there are no legal consequences, but there are still penalties. If the referee sees an infringement of the rules during your soccer game, he’ll penalize your team by awarding your opponents a free kick.
Vocabulary lists containing infringement
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
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“Vaccine Controversy Shows Why We Need Markets, Not Mandates” by Ron Paul
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 27–April 2, 2021
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In early March Novo Nordisk agreed to drop a patent infringement lawsuit against Hims in exchange for the telehealth provider’s commitment to sell branded Ozempic and Wegovy through its online pharmacy.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
Megastar Taylor Swift was hit with a trademark infringement lawsuit for ‘Life of a Showgirl,’ and released the archival music video for ‘Elizabeth Taylor.’
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
A year ago, Washington put Zhipu on its export control blacklist over national security concerns, while Disney and other US entertainment outfits are suing MiniMax for copyright infringement.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
It proved a double blow for Scotland with prop Leah Bartlett sent to the sin bin on her 50th appearance for an infringement in the build-up.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Esso suspected copyright infringement and prepared several lawsuits, but in fact, an unknown resident had built “The Agloe General Store” at the intersection that appeared on the Esso map.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
